In light of Zimbabwe’s ongoing construction boom fueled by infrastructure projects, cement manufacturers have encountered supply-side challenges. Several leading companies in the sector reached out to the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement (ZASM) to shed light on these issues.
๐ญ. ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐บ: The nation is experiencing a surge in construction, led by government projects like dam construction, the Manhize iron and steel plant, pipeline construction (Gwayi Shangani), mini hydro power plants at Lake Mutirikwi and Gwayi Shangani, renovations at Kariba Dam, railway upgrades from Hwange to Manhize, road development, the Mbudzi intersection, and private initiatives such as housing complexes, warehouses and offices. In response, cement manufacturers are investing in expanding production capacities.
๐ฎ. ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐: Faced with the inability to meet local demand, manufacturers sought permission from the Ministry of Industry to allow traders to bring in temporary imports of cement while they import Clinker (lime) for manufacturing. This strategic move aims to address supply shortfalls while manufacturers import higher-grade Clinker to enhance local production while they upgrade their own Clinker production capacity.
๐ฏ. ๐ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐: Some companies, like #Khayah (former Lefarge), highlighted challenges in importing parts and tools for annual machine fleet maintenance due to sanctions. Despite these hurdles, maintenance is now complete and production is set to resume and Khayah reiterates that itโs prices to suppliers have not changed from $10.50.
๐ฐ. ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ: Manufacturers are actively upgrading their production capacities to meet the escalating demand, aligning themselves with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategies (NDS1 and NDS2) for industrialization.
๐ฑ. ๐ข๐ป-๐ฆ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: ZASM will conduct on-site visits at various factories next week, documenting the comprehensive restructuring and transformation taking place within this manufacturing sector. We will also study how they are dealing with the illegal sanctions on the country and their operations.
๐ฒ. ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ฒ๐: Discussions included the importance of sanctions entities officially applying to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for a review of punitive measures levied on them without trial.
Over and above suing banks, ZASM is also now exploring the prospect of litigation against sanctions implementers who deny Zimbabwean factories machines, tools, lubricants, inputs, replacement parts and loans in violation of WTO and other multilateral trade treaties.
ZASM recognizes international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank’s stance against national policies that hinder global business and international trade. Plans are therefore underway to expand litigation efforts by targeting companies and nations that discriminate against Zimbabwean companies without due process, in implementing illegal sanctions as a tool to handicap the fundamental national right of economic development.
Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement remains committed to employing various strategies to combat this discriminatory hegemony.
More exciting information to come on this story.
#ZASMvsUSAandSAbanks #ZASMvsSanctionsImplementors
